Definition

1. Noun:

   • A sharp, swift blow: A quick, hard hit, often delivered with a flat object like a hand or a tool to crush something small, like an insect.

2. Verb:

   • To hit swiftly with a violent blow: To strike something quickly and forcefully, typically to kill or drive away a pest.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • He killed the mosquito with a single swat.
  • The cat gave the toy a playful swat with its paw.

• Verb:

  • She tried to swat the fly buzzing around her head.
  • Please swat any bugs you see in the kitchen.

Advanced Usage

• "To take a swat at (something/someone)": To attempt to hit something or someone.
  • The comedian took a playful swat at the politician's latest policy.
• "Swat team": While this is a compound term, it originates from the verb "swat," implying a team that strikes quickly. (Note: This is listed here as a related term, not as a definition of the isolated word "swat").
  • The SWAT team was called to handle the situation.

Variants and Related Words

• Swatter (n): A tool, often a flat surface on a handle, used for swatting insects.
  • He grabbed the fly swatter from the drawer.

Synonyms

• Smack (v): To hit sharply, especially with the open hand.
• Slam (v): To hit or strike with great force.
• Whack (n/v): A sharp, resounding blow; to strike with such a blow.

Related Phrasal Verbs

(This word does not commonly form phrasal verbs.)

Related Idioms

• "Like swatting flies": Used to describe defeating opponents or dealing with problems easily and in great numbers.
  • The champion boxer defeated his challengers like swatting flies.

Noun

1. a sharp blow

Verb

1. hit swiftly with a violent blow
   • Swat flies